The ChicagoBears defeated the New England Patriots, 30-24, in a statement win on Thursday Night Football to improve to 5-2 on the season. It was the first of three consecutive prime-time games, although they have a 10-day break before battling the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football in Week 8.
It was ugly at times, despite the fact that the Bears led for the entire game. Penalties were once again an issue, as well as some drops, the pass defense struggled, the defensive line struggled to take advantage of a banged-up Patriots offensive line, tight end Cole Kmet suffered a knee injury that was a brutal blow for the offense and Cairo Santos' single doink nearly cost them the game -- until he kicked them to victory.
We're handing out our game
balls to three standout performers, from good to better to best, in the Bears' Week 7 win, and none of them should come as a surprise.
Good: Cairo Santos
For a minute there, kicker Cairo Santos was poised to be one of the reasons why the Bears might've lost to the Patriots after he missed a 53-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, leaving the door open for a New England comeback with Chicago up six points. But Santos got an opportunity for redemption -- and he managed to convince head coach Ben Johnson to let him do it -- when he booted the eventual game-winning 58-yard field goal, which was a career-long. Santos went from zero to hero in a matter of two possessions, and it helped stave off a talented Patriots squad.
Better: WR Luther Burden III
Don't look now, but second-year wide receiver Luther Burden III is developing into a star for the Bears offense. Burden had four receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown in the first half against the Patriots, where he showcased his speed, playmaking ability and why he's one of the top YAC getters in the NFL this season. While Burden wasn't targeted once in the second half, he remains one of Williams' most reliable targets, as Burden has caught all 17 balls thrown his way from Williams this season.
Best: QB Caleb Williams
On a national stage, quarterback Caleb Williams showcased why he's one of the NFL's biggest stars with a sensational performance against a talented Patriots defense. He had his second straight 300-yard passing performance, and he did it in a different way than Week 6. For all the criticism Williams received for his check downs against the Falcons, he aired it out against New England with some truly special throws, including the shot to Odunze on third-and-long to help extend the drive that put his team up two scores in the final minutes. Williams had eight completions of 20-plus yards against the Patriots, effectively silencing those critics.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Good, Better, Best: Bears' game balls in statement win vs. Patriots
